WO2000074804A1

WO2000074804A1 - Weight for toy or decoration balloons

Info

Publication number: WO2000074804A1
Application number: PCT/SI2000/000012
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vinko APŠNER
Original assignee: Funfood D.O.O.
Priority date: 1999-06-04
Filing date: 2000-05-18
Publication date: 2000-12-14
Also published as: GB2366217A; US6358110B1; GB2366217B; SI20249A; GB0128756D0; AU4794800A

Abstract

A weight for toy or decoration balloons according to the invention enables a simple and convenient regulation of the distance between the weight and the balloon in a continuous manner along the length of the string at each use and under consideration of the buoyancy of one or several balloons fastened to one weight, and prevents smaller children from opening the connection between the weight and the string of the balloon. The weight according to the invention consists of a container (1) with an additional weight (8), a cover (2) closing the container (1) and an ear (3) for receiving and holding a string (4) of a balloon (5), whereat the ear (3) contains a hole (9) that is conical and has ribs (10) and into which a plug (12) fits in such a manner that the string (4) of the balloon (5) runs between them.

Description

WEIGHT FOR TOY ORDECORATION BALLOONS

Object of Invention

The object of the invention is a weight for toy or decoration balloons. At toy balloons the weight ensures that the balloon does not fly away when children cannot continuously hold it. At decoration balloons the weight keeps the balloon at the chosen place and, by the length of the string between the balloon and the weight, the height of the balloon over the place where the weight is situated can be controlled.

Technical Problem

The technical problem to be solved by the invention is how to design a weight that will enable a simple and convenient regulation of the distance between the weight and the balloon in a continuous manner along the length of the string at each use and under consideration of the buoyancy of one or several balloons fastened to one weight, and prevent smaller children from opening the connection between the weight and the string of the balloon.

Prior Art

A known weight according to US 5,411,427 is made as a flat body with a strip-like extension, on which two stickable tongues are executed, into which a rectangular frame connected with the said extension grasps. It has turned out that children's attention is drawn to this solution, they try to open the connection and - due to the size and lack of complexity - they succeed. As a consequence, the child is surprised by the buoyancy of the balloon that flies away.

Therefore it was necessary to design such a means of connection between the weight and the balloon that the construction thereof will be too demanding to be opened by children of the age when they play with balloons. Besides, the prior art weight is designed as a body with a definite weight, hence it is only suitable for balloons with the same or similar buoyancy. Thus, a whole series of weights of a similar form, but of a different weight is produced, wherefor several tools are necessary and also several articles have to be sold in shops, which makes the article more expensive.

Solution to the Technical Problem

The described technical problem is solved by the device according to the invention in such a way that the weight is designed as a container with a detachable cover that is placed on it in a form-locking manner. On the container or the cover an ear is carried out, wherein a conical plug is placed in a force-locking manner, a string running through the ear being clamped between the ear and the plug in a desired point defining the length of the section of the string between the weight and the balloon. The plug is completely included in the ear and the child playing cannot pull it out. Thus, no danger exists that the string would inadvertently leave the ear and allow the balloon to fly away. Further, the plug is connected to the ear over a flexible strip, which ensures a permanent connection between the weight and the plug so that the latter does not get lost even when it is pulled out of the ear.

In the container there is room for additional material, preferably of granular structure, which makes possible an accurate determination of the weight of the complete weight with regard to the buoyancy of the balloon or several balloons fastened to the weight. An advantage of this solution is that only one type of prefabricated container with a cover and an ear with a plug is used for all different weights, which diminishes the costs of production and sale.

From an aesthetic point of view, the container with cover and ear can be of any optional form. The invention is explained in more detail by the description of an embodiment and on the basis of a drawing wherein

Fig. 1 shows a weight according to the invention in elevation and partial section,

Fig. 2 shows a detail of the ear and the plug of the inventive weight in an open state and in a cross-section, and

Fig. 3 shows the same in the state with the string inserted.

A weight for toy or decoration balloons consists of a container 1, a cover 2 closing the container 1 and an ear 3 for receiving and holding a string 4 of a balloon 5. The container 1 is of any optional form and so is the cover 2, which is removably connected to the container 1 in an optional known manner enabling an adult, but not a child to open the container. Preferably, the detachable connection between the container 1 and the cover 2 is made with a groove 6 at the rim of the container 1 and a complementary edge 7 of the cover. In the container 1 an additional, preferably granular weight 8 is placed, which makes possible an accurate dosing and thereby a determination of the total weight of the weight in each individual case.

On the container 1 or, preferably, on the cover 2 the ear 3 for receiving and holding the string 4 of the balloon 5 is made. A hole 9 in the ear 3 is conical and has longitudinal ribs 10 on its wall. Further, in the ear 3, preferably on a flexible strip 11, a plug 12 is executed, which fits into the hole 9. The plug 12 is flexible, so that a section of the string 4 of the balloon 5 can be placed between it and the wall of the hole 9.

The granular weight 8 is optional as well, preferably a cheap natural material e.g. of a chosen granulation. By the quantity of the granular material the weight of the weight 8 and thereby of the complete weight with regard to the foreseen buoyancy of the balloon or of several balloons is determined.

In a special embodiment for balloons with only a slight buoyancy, just the ear with the plug and without the container can be used. The container and especially the ear can be formed in many varied ways.

It is to be understood that by knowing the disclosure of the invention a person skilled in the art could make other embodiments without circumventing the substance of the invention defined in the following patent claims.

Claims

1. A weight for toy or decoration balloons, characterized in that it consists of a container (1) with an additional weight (8), a cover (2) closing the container (1) and an ear (3) for receiving and holding a string (4) of a balloon (5), whereat the container (1) and the cover (2) are detachably connected and the ear (3) is constructed anywhere on the container (1) or the cover (2) and contains a hole (9) that is perferably conical and has ribs (10) on its wall and a plug (12) fitting into the hole (9), whereat the string (4) of the balloon (5) runs through the hole (9).

2. A weight according to claim 1, characterized in that the detachable connection between the container (1) and the cover (2) is made with a groove (6) at the rim of the container (1) and a complementary edge (7) of the cover (2).

3. A weight according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that in the container (1) an additional granular weight (8) is placed, which makes possible an accurate dosing and thereby a determination of the total weight of the weight in each individual case.

4. A weight according to claim 1, characterized in that the plug (12) is connected to the ear (3) by a flexible strip (11).

5. A weight according to claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the weight (8) is a natural material of a chosen granulation.

6. A weight according to claim 1, characterized in that it consists of the ear (3) comprising the hole (9) with the ribs (10) and the plug (12) that can be connected to the ear (3) by the strip (11).